Beijing to Shake Up Foreign-Policy Team

Yang Jiechi Is Expected to Be Named Chief Diplomat This Week

By

Brian Spegele and

Jeremy Page

Updated March 10, 2013 2:13 p.m. ET

BEIJING—China is expected to promote Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to a position overseeing the country's diffuse foreign-policy apparatus this week, part of a major shake-up of its diplomatic leadership at a time of rising military tensions with Japan and uncertainty over the direction of ties with the U.S.

Mr. Yang is likely to succeed Dai Bingguo as state councilor responsible for foreign affairs—the country's top diplomatic position—according to Chinese foreign-policy scholars and diplomats in Beijing. Among his most...